Ah, the age-old question: should your upper cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, or is that just a trap designed to collect dust? It’s a dilemma as old as… well, cabinets themselves.
You’ve seen the look: a sleek, modern kitchen with cabinets that touch the ceiling like they’re trying to show off.
They look great in those Pinterest photos, but when you’re reaching for that last box of cereal from the top shelf (and basically staging an Olympic event to get it), you might start to wonder: is this storage genius, or just a dusty nightmare?
Before you make any major decisions about the heights of your cabinetry, let’s dive into the pros, cons, and hidden realities of those lofty kitchen shelves.
1. The Dream: Storage, Storage, Storage!
We get it. You want more storage space. You dream of organizing your life in a way that even Marie Kondo would applaud.
Upper cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling are the perfect way to maximize your kitchen’s storage potential.
No more awkward gaps between the cabinets and the ceiling, just a glorious expanse of additional space for storing things you don’t need to access every day.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I can store my fancy holiday platters up there!” or “I can finally hide the old Tupperware lids that I never actually match to the containers!”
It’s the dream. A sleek, clutter-free kitchen where everything has a place. But wait…
2. The Reality: Dust, Dust, and More Dust
Ah, yes, the other side of the dream: the one where your cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, and you immediately realize that you now have to climb a ladder to clean them.
And unless you’re a fan of playing “how much dust can I ignore before it starts looking like a science experiment,” those upper cabinets could turn into your new nemesis.
Every time you’re cooking a meal, you’ll be reminded of the untamed dust bunnies lurking on top of your cabinets.
And don’t even get us started on the cobwebs—your kitchen could end up looking like a haunted house just by trying to store your items.
Also, good luck if you happen to be vertically challenged. Reaching those top shelves might require a step stool, a good stretch, and possibly a prayer.
3. The Never-Ending Quest for ‘Stuff You’ll Never Use’
If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly fill the space between your cabinets and the ceiling, the answer is “stuff you’ll never use.” These upper cabinets will quickly become the equivalent of a kitchen attic.
You’ll toss your unused kitchen gadgets, broken mugs, and that one decorative vase you bought on a whim (because you really thought you’d start decorating with flowers, but, spoiler alert: you didn’t).
Before long, your cabinets will be packed with a hodgepodge of random items you forgot existed. And once they’re up there, don’t expect to take them down any time soon.
That high shelf is reserved for things like your 90s cereal boxes, all the cocktail glasses you bought because Pinterest said you’d need them, and that one jar of pickled beets that’s been in the back of your cabinet since 2007.
Will you ever use them again? Who knows! But they’re up there now. In fact, the only thing they’re really collecting is dust.
4. The Upside: Sleek, Modern Aesthetic (For About 2 Seconds)
Okay, let’s be real. Those high cabinets do look amazing in photos. Your kitchen will look sleek and chic, like something straight out of a design magazine.
You’ll admire the clean lines and feel like you’re living in a beautiful, minimalist showroom—at least until the first time you have to retrieve that one jar of honey from the top shelf and break a sweat in the process.
But when you’re hosting friends for dinner and casually mentioning how everything in your kitchen is carefully curated and organized, that’s when you’ll start feeling like a true design aficionado.
Just don’t point to the top shelves, where your dreams of an organized life are buried beneath layers of dust and forgotten serving dishes.
5. The Middle Ground: Open Shelving or Cabinet-Top Storage?
Not ready to commit to the full ceiling-height cabinet lifestyle? Well, you don’t have to!
Instead, consider a happy middle ground: open shelving or adding storage above your cabinets without committing to the full cabinet-top madness.
Open shelves allow you to keep items you actually use within reach while adding that airy vibe to your kitchen.
You can store things like your favorite mugs or decorative bowls—and if you’re organized enough, the open shelves will never become a clutter disaster (unless you really like piles of cookbooks everywhere).
Or, if you’re feeling truly adventurous, use the top of your cabinets as storage for things like baskets, plants, or those jars of pickled beets you keep pretending you’ll use one day.
It’s the best of both worlds: added storage without the burden of cleaning cobwebs from the highest reaches of your kitchen. And honestly, that’s a win in our book.
6. Conclusion: Do Upper Cabinets Really Need to Go All the Way Up?
In the end, whether or not your upper cabinets should go all the way up comes down to one thing: how much dust are you willing to tolerate?
If you’re all about that extra storage, and you’re not afraid to break out the step stool every six months, go ahead and extend those cabinets to the ceiling.
But if the thought of dusting every inch of your kitchen gives you chills, maybe stick with something a little more manageable.
Either way, don’t be afraid to design your kitchen to fit your needs—and your dust tolerance. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home… and sometimes that heart is a little bit dusty.